In NJ no problem. In CT part way through Thurs we were told we can't plug in because of union rules. We would need to pay big bucks for an electrician to tell us how to plug our printer in. At the suggestion of a large man with a long FIRST history we asked the NASA machine shop guys if we could make our service public and plug in to their outlet in the pit. We moved operations and used runners to bring data from the field.
We do paper scouting on index cards printed with a scouting form. To simplify data entry, the subjective data is designed to be completely numerical so that the input involves entering a string of about 15 numbers. 6 people watch one robot each in every match. A seventh person watches for the scores and penalties while the other 6 are finishing out their match cards. the number string includes the team number, match number, and starting position, as well as rankings in a number of areas and number of balls scored.
These cards all go into sleeves in a binder (one for each team). and the sleeves for the five other teams in our matches are delivered to the drive team before each match.
We also scout the pit for robot systems specific info with a similar system, inputing the data the same way, and print it out on an index card which also goes in the binder sleeve. You can't believe what teams tell you they can do. you have to see it on the field. You can only collect data in the pit about what
type of drive system, kicker, hook, etc.
Finally a photo of each robot goes in it's respective sleeve.
The data is entered into a massive excel spreadsheet as the cards are turned in, and we are able to generate a variety of summary reports that we can use for selecting partners or preparing for matches.
The sleeve system has been in development since 2004 when My son and I were the entire strategy team when we won our way to Atlanta. We added the numerical data entry and laptop to compile the data the following year, along with a lot more people. We have been refining and tweaking ever since. It keeps lots of people occupied doing something very important for the team, and has helped the drive teams greatly in preparing for matches.
